University Testing: Alternatives

Many university leaders are realizing that the preoccupation with test scores hinders educational equity and has come at the expense of students' other high school experiences. These concerns, along with an awareness that test scores add little to an understanding of a student's capabilities, have led a growing number of colleges and universities to go "test-score optional." Schools that have dropped or sharply restricted their use of standardized admissions tests are widely pleased with the results. Regardless of size or selectivity, these institutions have seen substantial benefits, including increased student diversity, more and better-prepared applicants, and positive reactions from alumni/ae, students, guidance counselors, and the public.

Visit the following pages to learn more about alternatives to using test scores in university admissions:

List of "optional schools"- see FairTest's list of over 719 colleges and universities that admit a substantial number of applicants without regard to test scores